Minnesota signs catcher Castro

MINNEAPOLIS— The Twins have signed free agent catcher Jason Castro, who played six seasons for the Houston Astros, to a three-year, $24.5-million (U.S.) contract. Castro, a six-footthree, 215-pounder, was an AL allstar in 2013, when he batted .276 with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs. He has struggled to make contact since then, batting .215 over the next three seasons, including .210 last season, but he is considered strong defensively. The Astros recently traded for Yankees catcher Brian McCann.